Kishibe Rohan wa Ugokanai
Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe

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Solid series of one-shots (typically) starring the most stuck-up dude in Diamond is Unbreakable as he discovers some insane stuff going on in the world!

I typically have issues with the coherence of art in Jojos - it can be hard to tell if someone 1) has correct anatomy and 2) is supposed to HAVE correct anatomy in the first place. Not the case here, everything is clean and easy to read. Rohan Kishibe is a fun character in a world where he has a stable job amid the insanity of the Jojo setting, and is just powerful enough and smart enough to make him very ... capable and fun. I'm a fan of one-shots so I am definitely enjoying this series so far (if they ever make more), and would absolutely recommend it to anyone who likes Jojo overall!

Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe is an OVA Manga about the side-stories of Rohan Kishibe, a very influential figure in DIU (JoJos part 4). If you want to read any of this, you need to watch/read Part 4 first. That being said, I read this before the Anime adaptation (which was okay), but I prefer the source material.

Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe is a collection of side stories, set some years after Golden Wind/Vento Aureo. There is some great subject matter here, and I'd hate to spoil it. I will say this though: If you are a fan of bizarre, stand-only horror mangaka (Ex. Junji Itou), then ... this is right up your alley. Still, I'd recommend this for any JoJo fan that has finished Part 4.

Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan serves as Araki's way of continuing to create one-shot comics. He once mentioned that if he were to write something outside of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure (referred to as JJBA) while it is still ongoing, it would inevitably resemble JJBA. In other words, he’s been infected by "Jojobrain disease."

This compilation features a series of one-shots that, while entertaining, lack significant cohesion beyond the familiar characters and shared world. Each story presents a distinct premise and execution, leading to a varied reading experience. The art is stunning, showcasing Araki's signature style, but the narratives often shift from suspenseful to genuinely unsettling. This results ... in a mix of impactful tales alongside those that may not resonate as strongly.

Some stories captivate with their intensity and originality, immersing readers in unique experiences, while others feel more like fleeting glimpses into the bizarre. This blend creates an intriguing dynamic; even if some narratives don’t fully land, the collection remains compelling and worth exploring.

I appreciate how this collection expands on the lore surrounding stands, their different users, and concepts, which is how the book fits into the JJBA continuity. Some stories function as standalone pieces, relying very little on what’s established in the main JJBA narrative.

The tales adapted into anime—specifically "At a Confessional," "Mutsukabe Hill," "Millionaires Villa," and "The Run"—are by far the best among the first two volumes. I wouldn’t go so far as to recommend the anime over the manga, but if you’ve already watched the adaptations or tend to favor anime over manga, I wouldn’t suggest purchasing these books.

Aside from those, "D.N.A." is worth checking out. "Hot Summer Martha" and "Drip Painting Style" (the newer stories not yet compiled into volumes) may also be interesting, depending on what else is included in their eventual release.